Purl's Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Fresno’

What You Need to Know about Ductless Heating

Tuesday, November 12th, 2013

Most of us are accustomed to heating systems that follow the traditional forced-air model. That is, hot air blown from a centralized system throughout the house via a series of ducts. That’s the standard model covered by various companies handling heating installation and replacement in Fresno. Our mild California weather makes forced-air furnaces the norm, and the technology is comfortable and reliable, so there’s little reason to think that another option may be available. You may be surprised to learn how many options there are, however; options that offer a number of advantages over older forms of heating, including some that get rid of those pesky ducts. Here’s what you need to know about ductless heating.

As the name implies, ductless heating doesn’t realty on a single distribution system. Instead, it places multiple individual units throughout your house, each with its own controls and settings. In some cases, they can serve dual functions of heating and air conditioning: simplifying your system and permitting maximum flexibility.

Ductless heating provides a number of other advantages as well, including increased efficiency and improved control. For instance, one family member reading in the bedroom can set the heat at a specific temperature, while someone else cooking in the kitchen can set an entirely different temperature. Besides the added comfort of that equation, it allows you to only heat those areas of the house that you’re using: further cutting down on expenses. Ductless systems also make an elegant solution for homes that don’t have the space or the features to support a traditional duct system. You can place the units almost anywhere, and the technology has been proven over decades of regular use.

If ductless heating sounds like a good fit for you, or you have other issues regarding heating installation and replacement in Fresno, contact Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning for help. We can explain what you need to know about ductless heating, then set up an installation plan that works for your home. Pick up the phone and give us a call today. You’ll be glad you did!

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on What You Need to Know about Ductless Heating

Why Refrigerant is Important to Your Heat Pump Efficiency and Performance

Monday, November 4th, 2013

Heating maintenance in Fresno often means tending to heat pumps as well as centralized air furnaces. A heat pump works extremely well in places with winters like here in the Central Valley, and the Fresno area features many heat pumps working to keep homes comfortable. Refrigerant plays a huge part in a heat pump’s ability to perform. When it leaks, you need to contact a qualified technician to address the problem immediately. Why? Here’s an overview of why refrigerant is important to your heat pump efficiency and performance.

Heat pumps use refrigerant in a closed loop to alternately warm and cool your home. In the summer, the refrigerant gas enters a compressor (on the outside of the building), which subjects it to a great deal of pressure and heat. The compressor coils then bleed off the heat into the surrounding air, and the refrigerant – now a liquid, though still under a great deal of pressure – moves inside the building to a waiting expansion valve. That releases a set amount of the liquid into evaporator coils, which turn the refrigerant back into a gas and pull heat from the surrounding air in the process. A blower then moves the air into your home to cool it. In the winter, that process is reversed. The inside coils act as compressors to release heat into your home, while the outside coils act as evaporators to cool the air.

When a leak springs up in that system, it throws the entire process out of balance. The air can’t be cooled as efficiently – no matter what season it is – and the heat pump must work harder to do its job. Frost forms on the evaporator coils, further restricting the process and increasing strain on the system as a whole. Not only will it cost you more to operate the heat pump, but it could lead to a more significant breakdown later on down the line.

For any problems with heating maintenance in Fresno, Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning is on the case. We know why refrigerant is important to your heat pump efficiency and performance, and can seal the leak before returning your refrigerant to its prescribed levels. Pick up the phone and schedule an appointment today.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Why Refrigerant is Important to Your Heat Pump Efficiency and Performance

Coats for Kids 2013

Friday, November 1st, 2013

 

Coats for Kids LogoCoats for Kids 2013 kicks off their local campaign Nov 1st – Nov 30th.  Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning is proud to join Kiss Country and the Salvation Army as a collection location for the 2013 Coats for K

ids drive.  Each year the community and local businesses work with the Salvation Army to collect gently used or new winter coats to keep kids warm in the cold winter months.

The Coats for Kids Campaign was established by the Salvation Army in 1980.   For more than 30 years this campaign has brought together organizations, schools, businesses and members of the community with the single goal to donate to children in need.    Kiss Country has been part of Coats for Kids in the Central Valley for more than 20 years.   Their efforts to bring this issue and coat drive to the forefront, has made a real difference in the lives of so many young children.

Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning have also partnered with St. Joachim School and Lincoln Elementary School in Madera to help benefit our local kids.  We are open to the public as drop off location for coats Monday – Friday from 8am-5pm.   We encourage our customers and members of the community to get involved and help keep the kids in our Valley warm.  Our goal is to collect hundreds of coats in the hope that no child will have to be cold!

 

Continue Reading

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Community Involvement | Comments Off on Coats for Kids 2013

3 Common Indications That Your Heater Needs Repair

Monday, October 14th, 2013

The Central Valley can experience difficult conditions during the winter that people outside of California wouldn’t expect. We get an average of 14 nights per winter when the temperature drops below freezing. You definitely need to be prepared for that. More importantly, your heater needs to be prepared for that, whether it’s a furnace, heat pump, or another type of system.

Don’t put off necessary repairs—one of those freezing nights will come along and you’ll find yourself shivering in the cold with a busted system. We have three signs you should pay attention to which often indicate a need for repairs. For top-quality repair service, look to the Fresno, CA heating repair professionals at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning.

3 common indications you should call for heating repair:

1. Odd smells coming from the vents: Most Fresno homes use a forced-air distribution system to provide warmth, such as a furnace or a heat pump. Under normal operation, you shouldn’t detect any strong odors in the air coming from the vents. But if you notice something strange, like a musty or dusty smell, then you likely have problems with your heater’s ducts. They may have developed breaks, and this will reduce the heater’s ability to reach its target temperature, forcing it to work harder.

2. Loud, jarring noises: If you notice grinding and humming sounds from the heater’s cabinet that you normally don’t hear, you may need repairs done. A few sounds, such as clicking at start-up when the heater hasn’t been used for a while, aren’t much to worry about. But other sounds, like shrieking (possibly worn down motor bearings) or clacking (loose parts or a dented fan belt), should be inspected professionally.

3. Spikes in heating bills: Often, your heater may run fine, but internally has faults in its mechanisms force it to work harder than necessary. You can see this in your power bills: if you notice a sudden surge in costs that you can’t explain, it’s time to get the heater looked at for possible malfunctions.

Although skilled heating technicians can fix most problems with your heater, you can prevent many repair needs if you sign up for a preventive maintenance program. An annual visit from a maintenance specialist will reduce your heater’s repair needs and give the system a longer lifespan.

Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning has served Fresno, CA heating repair needs since 1952. We will send out NATE-certified technicians to your home to fix the troubles with your heater, so you know you will be in skilled hands.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on 3 Common Indications That Your Heater Needs Repair

Are you Ready for Heating System Replacement?

Tuesday, October 8th, 2013

In Fresno, CA, heating systems don’t see nearly as much use as they do in colder climates, and accordingly don’t tend to wear out as quickly. With proper care and maintenance, a heater can last a long time here in our warm and pleasant Central Valley, providing reliable comfort when the temperatures start to drop. Sooner or later, however, the time comes when you need to replace you old unit with a new one. The question becomes when. Are you ready for heating system replacement? A few key factors can help you decide.

The first and most important is basic cost vs. benefits. A new heater can carry a larger up-front cost, which means that the benefits need to outweigh the investment you will make. If your old heater is turning into a giant cash drain, that becomes a lot easier to determine. Look at your monthly heating bill. Is it going up even though you’re not using your heater any more than normal? If it is, it means your heater is losing efficiency and those costs will continue to rise until you replace the unit. Multiple repairs, too, can signal a heater whose time has come. If your unit isn’t warming your house the way it should and it seems like you’re calling a repair service every few weeks, a replacement unit may be just what you need.

Another sign that you’re ready for heating system replacement is if your heater’s AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating is lower that you’d like. The rating is measured in a percentage, which represents the amount of energy used for actual heating (instead of being lost to inefficiency). The federal government mandates that all furnaces have an AFUE of at least 75%. (Units with a rating of 90% or greater receive an EnergyStar label, providing an easy way to determine he most efficient new unit.) If your furnace’s rating is below these numbers, especially if it’s more than 10 or 15 years old, it may be time to find a new one.

In Fresno, CA, heating systems fall under the purveyance of Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning. Are you ready for heating system replacement? If you are, or even if you just need some good advice on how to proceed, contact our trained  staff of Fresno, CA heating replacement technicians today.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Are you Ready for Heating System Replacement?

Common Heating Repair Needs

Wednesday, September 25th, 2013

People who live outside of California don’t often associate our state with snow or frigid weather (unless they’re thinking about ski resorts). But in the Central Valley, the temperature can dip to unpleasant lows during late fall and winter. In Fresno, CA, heating repair is something you need to consider during the coming months. Whatever kind of heater you have, no matter how durable or well-maintained, it will at some point need the attention of an HVAC repair specialist. Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning has served the Central Valley with heating repair services for over six decades, so when you need assistance with a malfunctioning heater, contact us right away.

Here are a few issues you might encounter with different heating systems that require professional attention:

Heat pumps: Heat pumps are a popular option in Fresno, CA because they can handle our mild winters and offer great cooling during the summers. Since heat pumps operate in the same way as an air conditioner, they can suffer from similar problems. Common repairs that technicians perform on heat pumps are replacing fan belts and compressors, cleaning the heating and condensing coils, and sealing leaks and replacing the refrigerant.

Furnaces: Many older homes have a furnace already installed, usually one that runs on gas or propane, while newer homes may have an electric furnace. Furnaces often require cleaning and unclogging of their air filters, a problem that can threaten to damage the internal mechanisms and will reduce air flow. Furnaces sometimes need repairs to their motors and fan belts. Electric furnaces have multiple heating elements that can break down and require replacement, while gas furnaces can develop leaks or blockages along their gas lines that need professional attention to seal them.

Thermostats: This applies to most systems, since you need a thermostat to communicate with your heater. Thermostats can develop electrical trouble which impedes their ability to control temperature. A faulty thermostat is often the cause behind uneven or insufficient heating, and sometimes can cause the heater to not turn on at all. Common thermostat repairs involve fixing their wiring or upgrading the unit entirely.

Although there are simple steps you can take to solve some of your heating problems—like regularly changing the filters of your furnace or heat pump—most repair needs won’t be diagnosed accurately or done properly unless you bring in an experienced heating repair technician in Fresno. If you start to experience heater malfunctions, call on the Fresno, CA heating repair professionals at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning to get it working for you again.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Common Heating Repair Needs

How to Keep Your Energy Bills Low this Upcoming Heating Season

Tuesday, September 17th, 2013

In Fresno, CA, heating becomes less of an issue than it might be in colder parts of the country. Our California sunshine keeps the winters very mild, and while temperatures may dip below freezing on the coldest nights of the year, our heating bills are fairly tame when considering other communities further east. Even so, no one likes to pay more than they need to for reliable heating. Here’s a few tips on how to keep your energy bills low this upcoming heating season.

  • Common sense steps. Saving money in the winter starts with a few simple options. Turn your thermostat down a few degrees during the winter months. You won’t feel much difference in January if the temperature is 68 degrees instead of 72. Open curtains to any windows facing the sun, which will warm the nearby area. Seal doors and windows to prevent air from leaking out and dress warmly while inside as an alternative to running the heater.
  • Check your ducts and let a professional take a look at your furnace. You lose a great deal of warm air when your ducts aren’t properly fitted or have sprung a leak. A professional can spot any points of trouble and seal the leak, allowing the warm air to pass through your home more efficiently. Similarly, a regular maintenance call from a qualified professional can keep your furnace running at its best and eliminate any small problems before they grow into large ones.
  • Consider upgrades. While installing a new furnace may be beyond your current financial status, you can still take steps to improve the efficiency of your heating system and cut down on costs. For instance, consider adding insulation to uncovered ductwork in your house. Or, if you sometimes forget to turn your thermostat off when you go to work, think about adding a “smart” thermostat that lowers the temperature automatically.

Whatever your situation, you’d probably be very happy with a lower heating bill. The professionals at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning work throughout Fresno; heating systems are a part of our repertoire and our skilled heating professionals can handle both repair issues and installation of new components. Call us today to see how to keep your energy bills low this upcoming heating season.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on How to Keep Your Energy Bills Low this Upcoming Heating Season

When to Consider Your Replacing Your Air Conditioning System

Wednesday, September 11th, 2013

Have you ever thought about how much effort it takes your AC to cool your home during the summer? If you’re like most homeowners, then you probably run your air conditioner almost constantly. All that use can really take a toll on your equipment and cause the need for repair. However, you may eventually need to start thinking about replacing your air conditioning system and knowing when that time has come can be difficult. That’s why we’ve put together a quick list of some of the things that you should look for that could indicate that you need replacement for your air conditioning in Fresno.

Give us a call here at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning and one of our friendly experts can help you with any Fresno air conditioning services that you need.

Tips for Replacing Your Air Conditioning in Fresno

Take a look below at some of the things to think about when replacing your air conditioning in Fresno.

  • Age of the system – Oftentimes, age is a good indicator for when you should replace your air conditioning system. One of the reasons is that as your AC ages it will likely develop the need for more repairs. Additionally, there are tremendous efficiency gains to be had from replacing your air conditioner. Many technological advancements allow new AC units to achieve very high levels of efficiency.
  • Frequent repairs – Usually, air conditioning systems should operate with very few repairs required. If your AC needs to be fixed often then you could potentially avoid those problems by replacing it. If your air conditioning system is old and it needs to be repaired often then there is even more incentive to replace as opposed to continuing to pay for repairs.
  • Inefficiency – If your air conditioning system start to operate less efficiently it could make sense to replace it. If your home is uncomfortable because you don’t want to run your air conditioner because it is so inefficient it might be a good idea to think about replacing it.

Call us here at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning if you have any questions about your AC or if you suspect that you’re ready to replace your air conditioning in Fresno.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on When to Consider Your Replacing Your Air Conditioning System

A Brief Guide to Installing a New Air Conditioning System

Thursday, August 29th, 2013

If your air conditioning system has failed permanently or if you’re moving into a brand new home, make sure that you call a Fresno air conditioning installation professional. Getting your new AC installed by the professionals at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning is one of the best ways to make sure that the new system works well and lasts for as long as possible. We often get asked by our customers about how the installation process actually works. Here’s a quick description of what the process is like. Give us a call if you have any questions.

Fresno Air Conditioning Installation Process

One of the most important decisions that needs to be made is what type of air conditioning system you want to have installed in your home. There are a number of different types of AC systems available on the market and our technicians will help you figure out which system is right for your home. You’re probably familiar with central AC systems but there are others out there such as heat pumps, package units which contain both a heater and AC system, and ductless mini split systems that allow you to dispense with ductwork.

Once you decide what type of system works for your needs, you need to determine exactly what size system is good for your home. Different air conditioning systems have different cooling outputs. If you get an AC that is too powerful or too large for your home it could negatively affect the comfort and efficiency of your home. Likewise if your AC is too small it won’t be able to cool your home. Our experts will run all the necessary calculations to determine exactly what size system is right for your home.

Next, our specialists will install your new air conditioning system at your home. The years of training and experience that we have will allow us to provide you with the quality and speed of service that you deserve. There are huge benefits to calling your local contractor for professional Fresno air conditioning installation services. Not only will the job be completed faster, but it will also be completed with high quality.

No matter what kind of AC unit you want installed, call Fresno air conditioning specialists Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning for air conditioning installation services that you can trust.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on A Brief Guide to Installing a New Air Conditioning System

How A Bad Capacitor Affects Your Air Conditioner

Wednesday, August 21st, 2013

When you set your thermostat to a certain temperature you expect that your air conditioning system will automatically turn on and start to remove heat from your home. But if your system won’t turn on or if only parts of your system are running it could be the fault of the capacitors in your HVAC system. Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning is proud to offer a full range of air conditioning repair services in Fresno, CA and we wanted to share a little bit with you about capacitors. Give us as call today if you have any questions or if you’re having any problems with your air conditioning system.

Fresno Air Conditioning Repair FAQ: Capacitors

Capacitors are kind of like an energy booster for the motors in your air conditioning system. They store energy and deliver it to the motors when they need. Your AC has a couple critical motors that use capacitors: both the fans each have their own capacitors and the compressor motor also has its own. If any of these capacitors fail then those motors won’t be able to start up. As a homeowner, you can determine which capacitor is out by listening to your system. If you hear a low, electronic hum coming from any of your components it could be the motor trying to start up on its own and failing. Also, if you only hear certain components running then you can determine that the capacitor for the failing component needs to be replaced.

Also, if you aren’t getting enough cooling in your home it could be the fault of the capacitor. For example, your compressor is there to compress a refrigerant that is used to remove heat from your home. If the compressor doesn’t start up then the AC can’t remove heat. If the fan motors’ capacitors aren’t working then the system won’t be able to push cool air into your home which will likely leave you uncomfortable.

For any air conditioning repair service that you need, call the Fresno air conditioning specialists at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on How A Bad Capacitor Affects Your Air Conditioner